Caitlin Clark sends strong message about Team USA teammates after win over China

Caitlin Clark sends strong message about Team USA teammates after win over China originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Caitlin Clark made history in her FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup debut, but she did not accept all the credit for Team USA’s dominant performance.

The Indiana Fever star recorded 14 points, 11 assists and three rebounds in Friday’s 94-61 victory over China in Berlin. Her performance earned her Team USA’s Player of the Game honor and gave the Americans a comfortable start to Group D competition. Clark was especially impressive while navigating China’s unusual size. The opponent’s roster included 7-foot-3 center Zhang Ziyu, a player who created a challenge unlike anything Clark had previously encountered.

“This was a different type of basketball game than I’ve probably ever played in my entire life,” Clark said during her postgame media availability.

Clark acknowledged that Zhang presented serious problems, but she quickly redirected the attention toward the American players who defended her.

“You’ve got to give our post players a lot of credit,” Clark said.

Aliyah Boston answers difficult assignment

Clark specifically highlighted Fever teammate Aliyah Boston, who came off the bench and helped Team USA battle Zhang around the basket. Zhang finished with 13 points, six rebounds and two blocks. She made only two field goals but converted nine of her 10 free-throw attempts, illustrating how difficult it was for the Americans to defend her without committing fouls.

Caitlin Clark on Zhang Ziyu, who stands at 7’3″:

“This was a different type of basketball game that I probably ever played in my entire life. I’ve never played against a woman of that size. She obviously presented some challenges for us, but you gotta give our post players a lot… https://t.co/bXA6pV83ZT

— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) September 4, 2026

Boston and Team USA’s other interior defenders were asked to be physical, push Zhang away from the paint and remain resilient if she scored. The strategy prevented China from consistently establishing its offense through Zhang.

China shot just 32 percent from the field and 26.3 percent from beyond the arc. Team USA never trailed, led for more than 38 minutes and built an advantage as large as 35 points. The Americans also used their speed against Zhang. Clark noted that Team USA created more transition opportunities in the second half, particularly when the 7-foot-3 center was on the floor.

That forced Zhang to defend in space and reduced the impact she could make near the basket.

MORE: Caitlin Clark’s spectacular pass to Angel Reese sends strong Team USA message

Clark’s leadership goes beyond the box score

Clark’s comments mattered because they revealed how she is approaching her first senior World Cup. She produced one of the best individual performances of the tournament’s opening day. Her 11 assists established a Team USA record for a player making her World Cup debut, according to FIBA.

Clark also became the first player to record at least 10 assists without a turnover in a Women’s World Cup game since those statistics began being tracked in 1994.

Yet when asked about the most unusual matchup of the day, Clark focused on the teammates who handled the most physically demanding responsibility. That willingness to share credit should matter to a Team USA roster filled with established stars. Clark attracts enormous attention, but the Americans will need contributions from across the rotation to win another gold medal.

Boston’s defense against Zhang offered an early example. Team USA will continue Group D play against Italy on Sunday at 2:45 p.m. ET before facing Czechia on Monday.

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